Deputy placed on administrative leave

A Carter County Sheriff Department deputy is being investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for an incident that allegedly occurred Friday night in Watauga.

According to a release from the sheriff’s department, Deputy Nicolas Andes was involved in an incident that on West Fifth Street while off duty. Witnesses reportedly told the sheriff’s department that Andes displayed a weapon and a badge, and accused him of shoving a juvenile who Andes believed threw rocks at his child.

The release said the sheriff’s department conducted an initial inquiry into the incident, but Sheriff Dexter Lunceford requested that the TBI conduct an independent investigation.

Andes has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the inquiry.